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East Hartford, CT (September 12, 2004) –Motorcycle enthusiasts revved up their engines on Sunday to help save babies lives across Connecticut and raised over $98,000 in support of the March of Dimes Connecticut Chapter and its mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. The Chapter expects to hit $100,000.
More than 2,200 riders came out to RIDE in Sunday’s event, the March of Dimes 12th annual RIDE presented by Gengras Harley-Davidson/Buell. The crowd listened to The Rock 106.9 WCCC, received prizes from WB20, free copies of Full Throttle Magazine and won numerous raffle prizes.
“Gengras Harley-Davidson/Buell is proud to sponsor this great event and thrilled about its success again this year,” said Skip Gengras. “The March of Dimes is a worthy institution and knowing that funds raised from the ride help to save the lives of babies makes it all worthwhile. The combination of March of Dimes and dealership support brings attention to a great charity, a great franchise and the riders who are so generous.”
Participants were led by Dee Snider of Twisted Sister fame for the fourth consecutive year and rode 40 miles throughout the Connecticut River Valley from the Middletown Elks Lodge to the Westbrook Elks Lodge. Hundreds lined the roads to cheer on the bikes as they passed through shoreline towns. After the RIDE, riders gathered for a shoreline barbecue hosted by the Westbrook Elks, featuring delicious food and live entertainment from Shovelhead.
Two-year old March of Dimes Ambassador Alyssa Hackley of Branford along with her parents Rich and Michele thanked the crowd for caring and helping to save babies. Alyssa was born nearly four months too soon and weighed only 1 pound 11 ounces.
The March of Dimes thanks the following partners for helping to make the 12th annual RIDE a huge success: Gengras Harley-Davidson/Buell, Connecticut’s WB20, The Rock 106.9 WCCC, Hartford Advocate, Full Throttle Magazine, Trantolo & Trantolo LLC, Dee Snider and the American Motorcycle Association.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies and in 2003 launched a five-year campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at http://www.marchofdimes.com/ or its Spanish Web site at http://www.nacersano.org/. |
